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HEIMATGRÜN The magazine of the EUROPEAN GREEN CAPITAL – Essen 2017

GREEN UP YOUR LIFE A YEAR FULL OF HIGHLIGHTS The Green Capital takes stock ESSEN TO BE FOLLOWED BY NIJMEGEN European Green Capitals IDEAS FROM THE HEART Committed citizens

HEIMAT GRÜN

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CONTENTS | EDITORIAL

AN INITIATIVE OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION PUBLIC SPONSORS

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PROJECT PROMOTERS MAIN SPONSORS

ÖFFENTLICHE ÖFFENTLICHE FÖRDERER FÖRDERER PROJEKTTRÄGERPROJEKTTRÄGER HAUPTSPONSORENHAUPTSPONSOREN

Erlebe Dein grünes Wunder Erlebe Dein grünes Wunder

PREMIUM SPONSORS

PREMIUMSPONSORENPREMIUMSPONSOREN CO-SPONSORENCO-SPONSOREN CHAPERON LAURENCE PHOTO ÖFFENTLICHE FÖRDERER PROJEKTTRÄGER HAUPTSPONSOREN 14 18 22 Armin Laschet ÖFFENTLICHE FÖRDERER PROJEKTTRÄGER HAUPTSPONSOREN Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia EDITORIAL Page 03 TITEL STORY JOINT INTERVIEW ... PREMIUMSPONSOREN CO-SPONSORS CO-SPONSOREN THE GREEN CAPITAL: FACTS AND FIGURES Page 08 ... with Thomas Kufen and Simone Raskob Page 04 AT THE CONCLUSION PREMIUMSPONSOREN CO-SPONSOREN OF THE GREEN CAPITAL AMAZING CITIZENS’ PROJECTS Page 10 MY GREEN YEAR 2017 PHOTOGRAPHIC REVIEW OF THE YEAR Page 16 ESSEN GREENS UP ITS LIFE Page 12 For an entire year, the European Green Capital – THANKS TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS! Page 24 Essen 2017 has been attracting a great deal of attention, MY PATH both within the region and beyond. There have been

SPONSORS GREEN CAPITALS Page 26 MOBILITY OF THE FUTURE Page 14 many good reasons for this – and there still are: in addition to projects run by the City of Essen itself – Aurelis Real Estate GmbH & Co. KG, Contilia GmbH, dm-drogerie markt GmbH + Co. KG, Hochtief Aktiengesellschaft, Trimet Aluminium SE, Essen University Hospital, Vivawest Wohnen GmbH THE GREEN CAPITAL TEAM Page 28 more than 200 of them by committed citizens – BACKGROUND RUPERT OBERHÄUSER OBERHÄUSER RUPERT BACKGROUND PHOTO TACK VINKEN (2) | JOCHEN FRANK MY RIVERS the city hosted a wide variety of conventions and

ESSAY Page 30 PHOTO JOIE DE VIVRE BY THE WATER Page 18 conferences. I offer my warmest congratulations on this important success!

MY SHOPPING I am particularly pleased that many of these projects SUSTAINABLE LIVING IN ESSEN Page 20 will be continued, including the world's first passenger

vessel powered by a CO2-neutral mathanol system, the DIE URLAUBSWELT MS innogy. Other pilot projects as well will continue to MY FUTURE extend their influence, not only in Essen but throughout 21. – 25.02.2018 ESSEN SHOWS ITS TRANSFORMATION SKILLS Page 22 the entire region. The many activities of the Green Capital City of Essen at the World Climate Conference, held in TITLE IMAGE: Plastic bags collected throughout the year at Green Bonn in November 2017, have furthermore piqued the Capital events were used to build an enormous fish interest of other national and international industrial at the Grugabad swimming pool. The sculpture emu- lates a bullhead (Cottus gobio). This fish species sur- regions in the transformation of a city that used to be vived in a branch of the River Emscher and is thus a dominated by coal and steel industries, and that has symbol of the region's green transformation. since evolved into a modern business-focussed region SASCHA KRKLAU KRKLAU SASCHA COVER PHOTO with extensive greenery and visible progress in environ- IMPRINT mental protection, urban planning and landscape Publisher Art director design. Markt1 Verlagsgesellschaft mbH Gesa Braster Markt 1 · 45127 Essen · Germany Phone +49 (0)201.1095-0 Graphics layout The City of Essen will remain dedicated to pursuing its www.markt1-verlag.de Carsten Cimander, goals in key areas such as local mass transit and the [email protected] Katja Müller quality of air, and together with the State of North Editor-in-chief Final graphics layout Rhine-Westphalia it will bring a wide range of insights Reisen. Campen. Radfahren. Guido Schweiß-Gerwin Sigrid Herffs and best practice projects from the Green Capital year Project Office Advertising to the region. Green Capital Essen Bettina Walter Melanie Kemner, Alice Pawlikowski Phone +49 (0)201.1095-100 [email protected] THE WELL-DESERVED TITLE OF “EUROPEAN GREEN CAPITAL” Editors PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN TRANSFORMING THE Alle Infos unter: Heike Reinhold, Lisa Heinrich, Print Jennifer Röder Weiss-Druck GmbH & Co. KG STRUCTURE AND IMAGE OF NOT JUST ESSEN, BUT THE ENTIRE www.die-urlaubswelt.de RUHR AREA, “FROM GREY TO GREEN” BEYOND 2017.

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ME_17_140_Besucheranzeige_R+C_190x124.indd 1 04.01.18 15:12 TITEL STORY TITEL STORY A NEW IMAGE presented by Essen

The year of the European Green Capital – Essen 2017 is over, but the idea behind it lives on. In a joint interview, Essen’s Lord Mayor Thomas Kufen and Head of the Environmental and Building Department Simone Raskob explain the targets that have been achieved and the challenges Essen and the region still face.

Mr. Kufen, Ms. Raskob, we have reached the end of the year image has not just changed in the perception of the resi- of the European Green Capital – Essen 2017. What were the dents of Essen. We also managed to project this image of a green highlights for you personally? city in a state of transformation out into the world. The Inter- Kufen: Key green highlights were the opportunities to meet est in Essen as the European Green Capital is unabated. with the citizens who were running their own projects. This I honestly could not have imagined that a report on the allowed us to demonstrate that the Green Capital was not an Emscher conversion project would one day be aired on event organised by the municipal authority, or by some Italian television. Still, this is only one example of the amaz- scientists and researchers, but backed by the entire region. ing things we have achieved. It were the residents of Essen themselves who initiated the change process, and they still are a major component of it. When you look back on the long road from submitting the During the past year they showed their green side, as much application until today, have you been able to turn the many THE GREEN with an insect hotel as with the ‘Sponsor a Stream’ initiative, projects envisioned in the application into reality? Did you CAPITAL or by getting involved in cleaning up their district. achieve your goals? Raskob: One particularly emotional project was certainly Raskob: The Green Capital year was a year of beginnings. the opening of the Seaside Beach swimming spot in May. We set goals for ourselves that applied not just in 2017, but In the fi l m “European Green Capital – TIP I think it was an amazing result that, after more than 40 which will continue to point the way forward over the next The Green Capital project was intended to centre around the Essen 2017”, Johannes Kassenberg and years, we were once again able to open the river Ruhr to the ten years, in what we call a Green Decade. I think we citizens of Essen. How did the citizens’ projects go, and what Frank Bürgin show a bird’s-eye view of the green public for swimming, especially since we had to comply managed to call increased attention to these goals, and we will be their lasting effects? city of Essen. with the extremely strict European Bathing Water Directive. raised awareness of mobility issues in particular. That was Raskob: We want to continue to support citizens’ projects in We will continue to enjoy the swimming in the future, and our Achilles’ heel during the application process. the future, expand the involvement of volunteers in all What will the Ruhr Metropolis take with it into the future that we may even develop further bathing areas. environmental sectors, and thus further promote the idea of is derived from Essen being the Green Capital City? And Mr. Kufen, Ms. Raskob just mentioned the topic: Mobility the Green Capital. what is the title’s signifi cance for the city’s international What aspects of your city have changed the most as a result was the most challenging subject for Essen already in the perception and focus? of being the Green Capital City? application phase. Now Essen – just as other German cities Have Essen’s residents developed a new feeling of self-con- Kufen: The selection criteria of the European Commission Kufen: I think we have succeeded in presenting a new – is facing a ban on diesel vehicles next spring, following a fi dence as a result of the Green Capital? Has their perception state that only a city can apply, not a region. Following our image of the region, and of our home town Essen. This complaint fi led by the environmental organisation Deutsche of their home town changed? success as the European Capital of Culture in 2010, we were Umwelthilfe. What has the European Green Capital achieved Kufen: The local citizens have been a very important part of happy to assume this function of standard bearer for the in terms of mobility? the Green Capital year, and were involved from the very region for a second time. But we are not doing it just for our- “The title of European Green Capital Kufen: Above all, we managed to make clear how diverse start. We live in a city with a high quality of life. This is some- selves. This is more about how we can change the percep- has enabled Essen to shake off the the topic of mobility is in our city. We have fi rm targets that thing the residents here have every reason be very proud of tion of both the City of Essen and the region as a whole. image of a grey industrial city that still we intend to adhere to. These also include improving the and appreciate when people elsewhere notice it too. There are always people from outside North Rhine-West- existed in some places outside the cycling infrastructure and increasing foot traffi c, as well as Raskob: In my view this is also refl ected in the success of phalia who still think everything in this region is grey due to Ruhr area. As the European Green the proportion accounted for by local public transport. the beautiful fi lm and its sold-out cinema screenings, in our coaldust. Now we have been able to surprise the entire Capital, Essen has received We are working on a process, for which a master plan is Lichtburg theater and other cinemas as well as the 6,000 world with the region’s green side. Today we are a modern, international attention, taking on a currently being developed, to further entrench the subject DVDs sold. The scenes in the fi lm, such as the one with the cosmopolitan, tolerant metropolis with great people, a high pioneering role when it comes to of air quality and air pollution control more deeply in allotment gardener who is proud of his peppers, show that quality of life, and above all excellent transformation skills. environmentally friendly urban living.” Essen. When it comes to mobility, it still remains to be seen the subject of “Green in Essen” works as an identity anchor. This is what we take with us into the future. This is what we DR BARBARA HENDRICKS where we go from here. First steps have already been We have been able to boost this effect a bit more this year, want to demonstrate, and I believe this is what has been the

Federal Minister taken. KNOLL SUSIE | BMUB, FUNKE STEFAN PHOTO on various levels. great success of the Green Capital year.

4 01.2018 01.2018 5 TITEL STORY TITEL STORY

The Green Capital is not just about green, but also about least industry that will have to act on these subjects and blue infrastructure. What goals have been achieved in terms “THE GREEN move them forward. Only then can we successfully carry the of water, and what are the next steps? “Linking together 5.5 million people spirit of the Green Capital into the future. Raskob: It has been a fantastic year together with the two via bicycle paths, making it possible CAPITAL YEAR WAS A German water management associations Emschergenos- to experience woodlands, nature Almost 60 conventions and conferences provided important senschaft and Ruhrverband. The key project of the Em- conservation areas and climate pro- YEAR OF BEGINNINGS. momentum in the Green Capital Year. What do you hope to scher conversion is “ESSEN.New ways to the water”, which tection, and bringing green technolo- gain from the ongoing collaboration in the Green Cities has been refl ected in over 500 projects since 2005. We have gies to our region: this is the focus WE SET GOALS FOR network? renaturalised 26 streams, and have just a few other meas- and objective of our work at the RVR.” Raskob: I think people have recognised that, with our ures left between now and 2021. The idea of connecting the KAROLA GEISS-NETTHÖFEL OURSELVES THAT APPLY ex perience from the Capital of Culture, the International Ruhr and Emscher river valleys with a system of green belts Director of the Ruhr Regional Association (RVR) Building Exhibition and now the Green Capital, we are a and waterways is also shown in the logo of the Green Capital NOT JUST IN 2017, BUT metropolis that is well positioned to share our knowledge City of Essen. It was brilliantly masterminded during the throughout Europe. We will be offering an international plat- planning stage and will be sustainably implemented in the WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO form on central topics, and regularly exchange information coming years. Green Economy is also an important economic factor. What and ideas. As such, we will remain a valuable partner for has been the economic impact of the Green Capital year, and POINT THE WAY FORWARD the international networks in the future. What does an urban area, a major city like Essen, have to what related benefi ts do you anticipate this will have for the offer in terms of biodiversity? city? OVER THE NEXT TEN At the regional level, the IGA International Horticultural Raskob: Let us take the ‘GEO Nature Day’ as an example: Kufen: Essen is the powerhouse of Europe. Three of the fi ve Exhibition will be held in the Ruhr area in 2027. What are Explorers of all ages discovered and charted the sensation- largest energy suppliers in Germany have their headquarters YEARS, IN WHAT WE CALL some of Essen’s other goals on this journey to next large- al number of over 800 species right at the UNESCO World here. Issues that really matter to us therefore relate to the scale project? Heritage Site Zollverein Park, including new species that move towards alternative energies, energy effi ciency, and A GREEN DECADE.” Raskob: I think the decisive project for us is the Emscher were previously unknown at Zoll verein. GEO Magazine im- renewables. The major successes we have initiated can be conversion. After a construction period of over 30 years, the mediately picked up on this, and made the green revolution seen at the world’s leading trade fair E-world energy & water, Simone Raskob, ecological renaturalisation of this river and all its tributary the editorial in its magazine. which takes place in Essen on a yearly basis. This is the new, Head of the Environmental and stream systems is an enormous gift for the region. Addition- green side of business in Essen, where we prove that we can Building Department of the City of Essen ally, there will be the KlimaExpo.NRW 2022. Those are the be the pacesetter in matters of climate change and environ- major milestones in this decade. mental protection. Kufen: Above all, we have to focus on the fact that we can Now that the Green Capital year is over, how will the only achieve more when we work together. Not saying And what is the situation with the so-called “green jobs”? follow-up processes be organised in the longer term, also in “Essen is the Green Capital and that’s that”, but seeing our- “WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO Raskob: Particularly when it comes to environmental man- terms of personnel? selves as the standard bearer for the region. This is why we agement, Essen was already able to score points in the Raskob: There are initial considerations and we want an are happy to take a step back when it comes to preparing for SURPRISE THE WHOLE application stage. We have almost 13,000 permanent jobs in effective team working of the employees who worked in the the International Garden Exhibition (IGA) 2027. I believe this cluster. The latest environmental management report Project Offi ce with those of the Klimawerkstatt Essen. We that we can make a difference based on our Green Capital WORLD WITH THE REGION’S from the state government shows that one in four jobs in the want to avoid duplicate structures within the administration, status, and above all that we can make clear that the future environmental management sector is in the Ruhr Region. but have an effective team working on the implementation lies in networking, partnership projects and in particular GREEN SIDE. We hope to be able to offer around 20,000 jobs by 2025. of Green Capital goals in the future. In addition, we want to in working together between different municipal The environmental management industry and its growth present a progress report every two years, and ask ourselves administrations. TODAY WE ARE A MODERN, potential are thus making a substantial contribution to the question, “How have we developed?” The vision of a structural change. city worth living in is not just a matter for the Environmental The interview was conducted by Guido Schweiß-Gerwin. COSMOPOLITAN, Offi ce, but is a task for the government as a whole. After the European Capital of Culture year, there was a dis- Tip: You can fi nd a video of the complete interview at TOLERANT METROPOLIS cussion about how sustainable the large-scale RUHR.2010 Mr. Kufen, Ms. Raskob just addressed the topic: what has the www.heimatgruen.ruhr project was. How sustainable is the European Green Capital city’s administration learned from the Green Capital year? WITH GREAT PEOPLE, – Essen 2017? Kufen: I found it truly impressive how every last part of the Kufen: At the start of the Green Capital year, I said, “We still administration – from the Youth Welfare Offi ce, the Schools A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE, have a ways to go, but the key is to start down the path.” On Administration Offi ce and the Building Administration Offi ce, this path we have already achieved so much, transforming as well as the subject areas traditionally organised by the “The success of European environ- AND ABOVE ALL from what used to be the largest coal, iron and steel city into Environmental Offi ce – not only warmed up the idea of the mental policy depends heavily on a city that earned the award of “European Green Capital”. Green Capital, but in fact became deeply involved in it. The cities and regions. The example of EXCELLENT Naturally – and I consider this just as important – we want to fi rst workshops on sustainability have already been held with Essen shows how our quality of life effectively underpin this progress with the support from all the Councillors and all representatives of the political improves when cities use creative TRANSFORMATION SKILLS.” partners in the city, in business, in science, and from citizens. groupings. This is the spirit we take with us. But once again ideas to implement our goals.” I believe this presents major opportunities. Our task now is I would like to emphasise: this is not just the responsibility of KARMENU VELLA Thomas Kufen, to work with the people to sustain the Green Capital idea the municipal authority. We want to be the driving force, the European Commission Environment,

Lord Mayor of the City of Essen throughout 2018 and beyond. LIEVEN CREEMERS | EUROPEAN COMMISSION, WICIOK VOLKER RVR, PHOTO initiator. It is the citizens, the businesses, scientists, and not Maritime Affairs and Fisheries

6 01.2018 01.2018 7 “The RUTE will continue to support all THE GREEN CAPITAL governmental and political discus- sions, incentives and activities that Visitors from 2,000 promote sustainability in Essen, as it YEAR IN NUMBERS 40 nations bee colonies has been doing in recent years.” 200 sun loungers DR DIETER KÜPPER 453 projects made from old banners Essen Environmental Round Table (RUTE) 56 conventions and conferences 187 with 12,000 participants own projects University of Duisburg-Essen 158 volunteers 300 events on the Green Capital with a total “We remain committed to from 21 nations were involved of , participants 15 000 the rapid in activities 1,386 implementation of the RS1 plans in the Elting district, and to Anni the Ant increasing bicycle traffic in Essen to Nature School account for 25 % of all traffic.” visited about 45,400 interested JÖRG ALTHOFF , children at Chairman of German Cyclist’s Association Essen 210 2 450 visitors took part daycare facilities citizens’ projects in 1,487 events

More than Cycling Without “The Green 800 species counted Decade is an Age Limits at Zollverein acknowledgment, 843 seniors were chauffeured Swimming in the Ruhr but also a over a total of 1,255 km challenge for us 7,700 swimmers as green plan- on 47 swimming days ners, garden- ers and foresters – because what we More than have created needs to be permanently 1,100 trees maintained, while also being carefully planted 58,284 kg developed. A city and its green spaces are therefore ongoing tasks in the true of CO2 saved sense of sustainability.” HANS JOACHIM AUGUSTIN European Tourist tours Departmental Manager for Grün & Gruga Mobility Week 100,000 flower Growth of 8 % in City Cycling 43 partners contributed to bulbs and 50,000 available tours and participants 35 projects and a total of shrubs planted 62 campaigns, reaching More than 1,400 cyclists “The new environ- 5,000 people travelled 410,000 km mentally friendly Green Capital Line vessel, the MS innogy, was purchased following a recommendation of the Committee for the Environment, Consumer Protection, Grün & Gruga. I will never forget our committee meeting on board this vessel.” “SauberZauber” HANS PETER HUCH Record 17,000 people (2016: 13,000) Chairman of the Committee for the Environment, Consumer Protection, KIRSTEN ALTHOFF | ECKHARD SPENGLER | MIKE HENNING | MIKE SPENGLER | ECKHARD ALTHOFF KIRSTEN PHOTO participating in the clean-up campaign STOCK | ADOBE SHUTTERSTOCK GRAPHICS Grün & Gruga 8 9

451_108_HEIMATGRUEN_01_2018_Infografik_e_RZ.indd 1 11.01.18 14:38 451_108_HEIMATGRUEN_01_2018_Infografik_e_RZ.indd 2 11.01.18 14:38 CITIZENS FOR ESSEN

Anzeigeadvertisement Heiße Tipps für kalte Tage So bleibt Ihr Zuhause gemütlich warm. IDEAS FROM Der Winter ist wohl die melan- cholischste Jahreszeit. Die Tage sind kürzer und kälter geworden. THE HEART Das beste Haus mittel gegen Er- IMAGINATIVE CITIZENS’ PROJECTS. A May beetle photographed by Alexander Krebs for the exhibition “Moments from Urban Nature” (left). kältungen und Eis füße ist immer Borbeck Schlosspark and a team of amateur actors invited visitors on a journey to the 18th century (right). noch ein warmes Zuhause. Mit einer ganzen Palette an Heiz - ideen von innogy wappnen Sie Enthusiastic response from the citizens: the residents of Essen submitted sich für die kalten Tage. 400 proposals for projects, of which 210 were implemented. er es gern warm hat, TEXT: Lisa Heinrich and Heike Reinhold ohne einen Finger W zu rühren, ist beim he diversity of the projects and stakeholders is both Essen’s green side,” explains Britta Grotkamp from JAS. For Heizungscontracting richtig aufgehoben. Eine neue Hei- varied and inspiring: all of the topics of the Green example, one of the projects examined how children per- zung ist teuer: Kosten für die T Capital year were embraced by the citizens and trans- ceive the various routes in the city. For this purpose, school- Anschaffung, die Instal la- lated into sustainable, original, elaborate – and in many children from the neighbouring City of Gelsenkirchen took tion und die Wartung fallen cases surprising – projects. The number of initiatives, clubs, the tram all the way to Essen Rüttenscheid, to then discuss an. Mit dem Hei zungs con- associations, child daycare facilities and schools, as well as their memories of the journey and fi nd options for a better tracting von innogy sparen citizens who contributed with high levels of commitment, is route design. Britta Grotkamp draws a positive conclusion, Sie die hohen In ves ti tions- enormous. Particularly in the project cluster “My Future”, saying, “The children had a lot of fun with the projects and kos ten. Denn man trägt nur Zuhause ist es doch am schönsten. Mit den richtigen Heizideen gilt das auch im Herbst und im Winter. sustainable education projects were created that can serve were able to gain a new perspective of Essen.” die Kos ten für den Service- das Ener gie unter nehmen sobald Sie zu Hause ange- chern. Und schont damit die as role models. For example, the VKJ Kindergarten Alten- dank des 10 Jahre um fas sen - kommen sind. Denn die Umwelt und den Geldbeutel. dorf urged its boys and girls to “Track waste for recycling” JOURNEY INTO THE PAST den Sorglos-Pakets. Das Woh nung ist schon warm, Weiterer Vorteil: Der Ver- and raised awareness about the waste problem. In September, the Borbeck Citizens and Tourist Association Nichts gegen einen macht das innogy Hei zungs - bevor die Füße kalt werden. braucher heizt besonders (BBVV) and the Friends of Schloss Borbeck took 400 visitors heißen Tee. Aber con tracting so einfach wie Tipp: innogy Kunden und umweltbewusst. Denn die ROLLING PHOTO EXHIBITION on a journey into the past. Under the title “Power and splen- mieten. Die neue Heizung Neu kunden mit Strom- oder „Strom Natur Komfort- Cheeky squirrels on a garden fence, sly foxes in an urban dour in Borbeck”, amateur actors brought a piece of history es gibt bessere hat aber nicht nur für Sie Gas lie fer ver trag bekommen heizung“ heizt mit 100 Pro- nature setting, or a May beetle on a garden table at home: to life in the Schlosspark, recreating the renewal of the Vorteile, sondern auch für das SmartHome Paket Wär- zent Naturstrom. die Umwelt. me für nur 99,– Euro statt these and other amazing shots of nature and animals are Hereditary Protection Decree in the 18th century, in authentic Ideen, um es schön Mit dem „SmartHome Paket regulär 179,– Euro. Das Paket amongst the motifs in the photo exhibition “Moments from costumes and with plenty of humour. A walk through the warm zu haben. Wärme“ können Sie die enthält eine SmartHome Wir beraten Sie gerne Urban Nature”, which were taken in the spring of 2017 together park and a visit to the exhibition on the historical castle Tem pe ratur in jedem Raum Zen trale und drei Heizkör - direkt bei innogy with EVAG, which is known today as Ruhrbahn, by the photo- ensemble rounded out the programme on the Day of Open automatisch per App oder per ther mostate. vor Ort: graphers from the “Wild Ruhr Area” platform. “We have a lot Public Monuments. Susanne Asche, Chair of the BBVV, betrag und den Wärmever- per Sprachsteuerung regeln of greenery in Essen. Nature is also reclaiming its territory in explains, “We wanted to stimulate interest in the Schloss- brauch. Die Kosten für – auch von unterwegs. Auf Mehr Wärmekomfort bei innogy the north of the city. Our aim with this exhibition was to shift park. Because the event was well-received, we are now Wartung, Repa ra turen und diese Weise kön nen Sie mit der Speicherheizung I. Dellbrügge 7 Schornsteinfeger übernimmt dem Wohlfühlen loslegen, our passengers’ focus to our animate environment and to thinking about how we can offer events in the future that 45127 Essen Mit dem Produkt „Strom entice people to go outside,” summarises hobby photographer combine plays, music and a historical background.” Erfahren Sie mehr bei innogy vor Ort. Natur Komfortheizung“ hat Mo – Fr 09.00 – 13.00 Uhr Stefan Fabritz. For an entire month, the motifs were displayed innogy außerdem den gro- und 14.00 – 18.00 Uhr on the advertising spaces of various trams, including “Nature ßen Nachteil von Spei cher- Route 105”. A great campaign that was also well received by hei zun gen beseitigt. Eine Unter innogy.com/essen the passengers. “The many sponsored high-visibility neue Technik ermöglicht es, können Sie sich auch gerne www.wildes-ruhrgebiet.de (citizens’) projects are really dass sich Elek trospeicher- einen Wunschtermin zur hei zun gen bis zu 19 Stunden encouraging! I would like to see persönlichen Beratung lang aufladen und so nahe- THE CITY THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD more extensive concepts such as zu rund um die Uhr heizen reservieren. Teaching children and adolescents about urban spaces is the free local mass transit, conservation können. Wegen der deutlich goal of the charitable association “Youth, Architecture, City areas, a pesticide-free city, verlängerten Ladezeiten Wir freuen uns auf Ihren (JAS)”. In the European Green Capital year, the young a local currency...” muss die Speicherheizung Besuch! Ihr innogy part icipants enjoyed a range of special offers. “We organised SUSANNE WIEGEL jetzt weniger Wärme für die Vor-Ort-Team Essen

various workshops that showed children and adolescents Transition Town – Essen in Transition | PRIVATE BBVV BECKMANN, | CHRISTOF ALEXANDER KREBS PHOTO langen Ausschaltzeiten spei-

10 01.2018 162x232_Advertorial_Heimatgruen_02.indd 1 08.01.18 11:47 MY GREEN MY GREEN Essen GREENS UP ITS LIFE In the Green Capital year, Essen was able to create new awareness for the green spaces in the city. New overlooks, path connections, planted areas, community gardens and allotment gardens are the cornerstones of a liveable city.

TEXT: Heike Reinhold

ssen is today the third-greenest jective is to link green areas and parks city in Germany, and the greenest by a network of green paths. The action E in North Rhine-Westphalia. Un- plan encompasses more than 500 indi- der the motto “Green up your life”, the vidual projects and is intended to link GREEN VIEWS. Lake Niederfeld (left), the KruppPark and the university district are milestones in urban GREEN former iron and coal city successfully the city’s south to the north, making it development. From the Mechtenberg viewpoint in Kray, you can see over the Zollverein Colliery (right). CAPITAL utilized parks and gardens as venues possible for the people to experience Experience the Views for staging Green Capital topics. The the whole stretch. Within the frame- of Essen now on the TIPS largest park in the city, for example, work of the Green Capital, the Vogel- Nationalbank and the Van Eupen Foun- and over the Ruhr hills. And in the Heimatgrün TV channel the Grugapark Essen, saw a 9 percent heim main artery was constructed with dation. As part of the “One Tree per year of the Green Capital, Green Capi- on YouTube. increase in visitors in 2017. There were state funding. The bicycle path and Child” campaign, the Western Ruhr tal Day brought enhancements to at The map of overlooks in Essen and surprises in terms of biodiversity: over walkways running parallel to Glad - Area Biological Station planted least one location in each of the city’s the BaldeneySteig, the fl yer 800 species were identifi ed by 70 ex- becker Straße (B 224) creates a 750 seedlings in the Heisingen nine districts — thanks to the hands-on “Attractions of the Green Capital – perts on “GEO Nature Day” at the representative entry point to the city Watermeadows. participation of district agencies, Essen 2017” and a brochure on Zollverein Park in June, increasing the and an attractive connection that citizens, and numerous public and community gardening can be ob- number of known species there by extends from the River Berne to the GREEN APPRECIATION voluntary institutions. tained from the Essen Tourism more than 80. The Federal Congress intermunicipal green spaces along the The perception of greenery in the city Centre or online. www.deingrüneswunder.de “Green in the City”, which was held Rhine-Herne canal and the Emscher. was promoted in 2017 through a series GARDEN LOVERS in Essen in May as part of the Green of projects: the “Views of Essen” 2017 also saw high levels of interest in In autumn, the latest edition of Capital, also delivered new impetus. THE CITY IS BLOSSOMING opened up 29 overlooks with pre- gardening. People were eager to get “Architecture of Essen’s Squares” German Minister for the Environment The projects, which would not have viously unseen views of the city. The involved in numerous citizens’ pro- was published as part of the series Dr. Barbara Hendricks made it clear existed without the title “European BaldeneySteig is a new 27-kilometre jects. Residents of Essen set up snack of books on Essen’s architectural that the development of green spaces Green Capital”, also include numerous path leading around Lake Baldeney gardens and herb rockeries, planted scene. The book analyses the BALDENEYSTEIG. A stroll with Christian compan- in the city must continue beyond 2017, plantings. In 2017, 100,000 fl ower bulbs clusters of trees and got raised-bed gar- history of important public spaces in the city. ions on the 26,7 kilometer long ridgeway in Sep- and promised corresponding funding. and 50,000 shrubs were planted. In dens fl owering. Insect hotels emerged tember 2017. spring, vibrant rows of narcissi and “Up to now, Essen and the Ruhr in urban gardens, as did inner-city GREEN PATH NETWORK tulips delighted the citizens, as did the area have always been under- oases featuring benches. The Friends Franz Sales House, at the Lunemann- Essen applied for the European title shrubs during the summer months. estimated as a green, species-rich of Dingerkus Garden House once again siepen allotments. “The commitment of “Allotment with an eye-catching target: by 2020, Since shrubs are plants that last many and liveable region. This Green opened the late-Baroque jewel in all these people persuaded the city gardens are every citizen should live no more than years, they will continue to make the Capital year successfully helped Werden to the public. Many kindergar- council to initiate an allotment develop- ecologically 500 metres from the closest green area. city blossom in the coming years as change this perception to some tens and schools created adventure ment concept,” says Simone Raskob. valuable micro- “Currently we fulfi l this target for 70 per- well. Essen demonstrated the courage extent. As the Nature and gardens and vegetable beds for their Furthermore, the number of community climate zones cent of residents. With a series of meas- to temporarily highlight its greenery by Biodiversity own use. To a certain extent, green fi n- gardens rose in 2017 from ten to 18. and part of the ures, we intend to reach the 100 percent creating 59 Green Islands, the Green Conservation gers seem to run in the DNA of Essen’s Another three projects are scheduled public green mark within three years,” promises Track and the Tree Parade in the city Union (NABU), residents, since allotment gardening to be launched in the spring of 2018. zones. They Head of the Environmental and Build- centre. The idea originated with land- we will keep at has a long tradition in the city. There The “Future Workshop Edible Essen” must be protected in order to fulfil ing Department Simone Raskob. This scape architect Andreas Kipar. Some of these efforts are over 100 allotment associations and ensured better networking of the allot- their social and integrative includes the “ESSEN.New ways to the his ideas will be used again in 2018. The and ensure that just under 9,000 allotment holders, ments and community gardens in 2017. function.” water” programme, which is part of the numerous tree plantings also exceed- the improve- which include special projects such as The stakeholders now want to capital- KLAUS-PETER KOGLIN Emscher conversion, and which Essen ingly sustainable: more than 1,100 trees ments last. ” school gardens for child daycare ize on the momentum of the Green Managing Director of the Essen City has utilised as an opportunity for devel- were planted in 2017 by sponsors JOSEF TUMBRINCK facilities and the Inclusion Garden for Capital to ensure that joint projects con-

Community of Urban Allotment Associations oping urban and open spaces. The ob- such as the Allianzumweltstiftung, the SCHALKER | BERND | HENNING MAYER-JANTZEN KASSENBERG | JOHANNES VINKEN | PRIVATE FRANK PHOTO State Chairman of NABU NRW mentally disabled residents of the tinue to grow over the long term.

12 01.2018 01.2018 13 THE GREEN MY PATH MY PATH CAPITAL settings for professionals to exchange “Let’s take a walk” and is operated TIP their ideas. “By participating in the by the Senior Citizens’ Advisory Board, Flexible and environ- mentally friendly trans- European Mobility Week, the Green the Senior Citizens’ Department and portation – right across Capital set the course for the mobility the Health Conference, and will be the Ruhr Metropolis. of the future. Now the city must utilize continued this year. The inter-city bicycle rental system this momentum,” emphasises Jochen makes it possible. Hensel, Project Manager for Mobility NEW ELECTROMOBILITY www.metropolradruhr.de at the Green Capital Project Offi ce. STRATEGY The Green Capital was also the impe- environmentally friendly parcel de- ECOMOBILITY IN THE tus for a comprehensive programme liveries and – starting in 2018 – the SPOTLIGHT to promote electromobility in Essen. city administration wants to give pref- Local public transportation played a Together with automotive manufac- erence to electric motors when buy- special role in 2017. Ruhrbahn was turer Nissan, the city developed a ing new service vehicles and convert able to open two mobility stations 12-point plan, which seeks to imple- a third of the municipal vehicle fl eet with networked transport options ment e-mobility laws, expand the to electric vehicles. By closely coop- and expanded its fl eet to have the charging infrastructure, and promote erating with partners, initiatives and lowest exhaust gas emissions in the e-taxis and e-car sharing, just to name associations, the City of Essen has Ruhr Region. Other elements to boost a few. There are some initial results successfully raised awareness among ecomobility include the “Essen Mobil” already: in September 2017, Essen’s citizens and companies about app, which amongst other things of- fi rst fast-charging station opened out- environmentally friendly mobility fers users intermodal navigation, and side the Tourism Centre; the German and improved their access to sustain- the GreenTicket, which is a monthly Post Offi ce uses 37 street scooters for able mobility offers. ticket subsidised by the European Green Capital and includes discounts CARGO BIKES FOR THE NEIGHBOURHOOD. There are already three cargo bikes in the city centre, in Altenessen and in the South district. for car and bike sharing. It is current- Three more will be added in 2018. ly being reviewed whether this ticket can be continued in 2018.

ENCOURAGING CYCLISTS Kickoff for AND PEDESTRIANS Another objective of the city is to es- tablish the bicycle as an everyday means of transport. Over the past MOBILITY OF THE FUTURE year, the Green Capital has therefore organised thank-you campaigns for cyclists, and actively supported pro- The European Green Capital – Essen 2017 initiated many measures jects such as “Cycling to work” and for sustainable mobility. The key now is to develop these City Cycling, which achieved record and take another step into the future. levels of participation in 2017. The city’s efforts will continue after the title year. The project “Cycling with- TEXT: Jennifer Röder out Age Limits”, in which long-term unemployed people take senior obility remains the subject concepts, intelligent networking and “Shared mobil- citizens to their favourite locations area with the greatest need to improvements to structural frame- ity is our con- using electric rickshaws, will be Mcatch up – at the same time, it work conditions. In September, Essen tribution to a continued this year, as will the is the area with the most ambitious for the fi rst time participated in the green Essen. German Cyclist’s Association lend- objectives: by 2035, the City of Essen European Mobility Week. With offers In addition, we ing system for cargo bikes. As a pilot plans to achieve a modal split of 25 ranging from ecomobility promotions operate a bus project, two bicycle parking garages percent across all four modes of and mobility consulting to test rides fleet with lower will be opening in Holsterhausen and transport. “This can only succeed if with cargo bikes and electric cars, emissions than anywhere in the Rüttenscheid in the spring. we successfully transition toward over 60 campaigns spotlighted the Ruhr area, we are testing alter native ecomobility,” emphasises Head of the topics of sharing, intermodal mobility drive technologies and planning To raise the number of pedestrians Environmental and Building Depart- and alternative drive systems. Con- additional mobility stations, and as in the city, walks for senior citizens ment Simone Raskob. The focus dur- ferences such as the fi rst “Ruhr an Eco Profit company we are saving have been held weekly in 34 city ing the Green Capital year was there- Metropolis Mobility Conference” and (green) electricity wherever possible.” districts since 2012. In 2017 these fore placed above all on raising “Strategies for sustainable mobility MICHAEL FELLER also led to Green Capital locations. NEW MOBILITY CONCEPTS. Parking Day in Savignystraße/Gemarkenstraße set an example for

awareness about modern mobility for tradesmen in Essen” provided Managing Director of Ruhrbahn GmbH | RUHRBAHN WILLEMSEN THOMAS VINKEN (2) | FRANK PHOTO The initiative is known by the name sustainable mobility (top). A mobility station was opened in Zweigertstraße.

14 01.2018 01.2018 15 MY REVIEW “Of all the many events in the Green Capital year, my highlight was the exhibition ‘Green in the REVIEW OF THE GREEN CAPITAL YEAR City of Essen. More than Parks and Gardens’ at Zoll verein, which clearly illustrated the For the European Green Capital – Essen 2017, the past year impressive history of the green was a year full of highlights. Our photographic review areas and their planning in the industrial city of includes memories of events, exhibitions, campaigns and projects. Essen: from green to grey to green again.” PROFESSOR HEINRICH THEODOR GRÜTTER “GREEN IN THE CITY OF ESSEN. MORE THAN PARKS AND GARDENS”. Director of the Ruhr Museum and The exhibition in Hall 5 at the Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site Member of the Board at the Zollverein Foundation “My very personal delighted 35,000 visitors between May and August. highlight was the Essen Light Weeks GRÜN AUF! ALTENDORF. and the Essen Light In mid-September, a Festival, devoted to section of Altendorfer the motto of ‘European Strasse was closed for the Green Capital – family and garden party. Essen 2017’.” DIETER GROPPE Managing Director of EMG – Essen Marketing GmbH PARADISES & UTOPIAS. At the family and upcycling SPECTACULAR START TO THE OPENING CEREMONY. In January 2017, the Grugapark in Essen festival held in the Stadt-

was transformed into a sea of lights. (3) TACK VINKEN | JOCHEN BROCHHAGEN | FRANK (2) | ELKE KRKLAU SASCHA PHOTO garten Park in July, the atmosphere was amazing. DAY IN MOTION. Participants arriving KREUZESKIRCHE for the large Stern- PANEL DISCUSSIONS. fahrt Ruhr bicycle rally ANNI THE ANT. The fi ve realms of life on the Day in Motion Actress Veronika of the Green Capital in early July in the city Maruhn fi lled young became the subject centre of Essen. spectators with enthu- matter of lively panel siasm for environmen- discussions in the tal protection. Kreuzeskirche church. NRW SUMMER CONCERT. Thousands of visitors “Our highlight was came to the State Exercise Day, which Government’s Summer at the same time GROWEEN. The cloth installation by Jens J. Concert with the Essen marked the kick-off CLOSING EVENT. The Green Meyer with tropical plants at Essen’s adult Philharmonic Orchestra for our #Green Capital thanked its fellow education centre in Burgplatz. in the Stadtgarten Park Rider Marc Bator campaigners at Messe in July. leading up to the Essen in mid-December. NRW.KlimaTage Also present were rep- (climate days) initiative. As a result, resentatives of the next WEBERPLATZ. the idea of the Green Capital spread European Green Capital – The Weberplatz Open from Essen throughout all of North Nijmegen 2018. As a gift, Space was the cen- Rhine-Westphalia.” the guests received a min- tral contact point of the DR HEINRICH DORNBUSCH iature of the Emscher bull- Green Capital and the Chairman of the Board of Directors head made from old plas- volunteer management KlimaExpo.NRW tic bags. headquarters. A wide range of events and workshops offered a LIKE! The European Green Capital – Essen 2017 can also be found on the social networks. SWIMMING IN THE RUHR. On 47 swimming days, visitors to the varied programme. Seaside Beach swimming spot enjoyed the cool, welcoming www.facebook.com/ www.instagram.com/ www.twitter.com/ Now available in the App Heimatgrün TV gruene.hauptstadt.essen gruene_hauptstadt_essen GreenCapital17 Store: Your Green Essen waters. The opening of the bathing area took place in May. (2) | KLIMAEXPO.NRW TACK | JOCHEN KREKLAU SASCHA | FUNKE STEFAN VINKEN (3) | FRANK PHOTO

16 01.2018 01.2018 17 THE GREEN MY RIVERS CAPITAL TIP Essen has exceptional drinking water. The high quality is ensured by one of the most modern treatment plants in Europe. So you can certainly drink tap water as often as you like.

May 2018, the “Weiße Flotte” will also be stopping at new lakefront Seeblick.

ESSEN CLEARS UP “Essen clears up – Fewer medications in the wastewater” is a two-year re- RETURN OF THE EMSCHER BULLHEAD. Lord Mayor Thomas Kufen (right) and Uli Paetzel were able to release 150 fi sh into Borbecker Mühlenbach in August. GREEN AXIS. From the end of May, the White Fleet will be stopping at Seeblick. search project started in 2017, which amongst other things sees the Emschergenossenschaft, Ruhrverband “By reopening reserve is signifi cant on a European and the City of Essen calling for old of the swimm- level, and its importance was empha- medicines to be disposed of in ing spot on Lake sised by the Green Capital with domestic waste. Unfortunately almost JOIE DE VIVRE Baldeney, the tree-planting projects and additional 15 percent of Essen’s residents dispose Ruhrverband funding, among other things. The MS of leftover medicines via the toilet or between the Emscher and Ruhr helped boost the innogy will be in service again from sink. The project is 80 percent funded image of the re- mid-April 2018. In the future, addition- by the state, and will be continued in gion. We will con- al destinations upstream may be add- 2018. The concept from the pilot project In the Green Capital year, Essen (re)discovered the Emscher as its second tinue to work on ed to its route. “The MS innogy could will then be adapted by other cities. municipal river in addition to the Ruhr. The expansion of the blue infrastructure further improving the water quality make this possible, because the vessel In September 2017, 143 pharmacies and and projects that connect the Emscher Valley with the Ruhr Valley in the future.” has an environmentally friendly pro- almost 1,000 doctor’s offi ces in Essen pulsion system, a shallow draft, is not were supplied with information materi- ensure quality of life by the water. PROFESSOR NORBERT JARDIN Technical Director of the Ruhrverband tall overall, and it is accessed conven- al. In cooperation with the University of iently via the bow,” reports Aleksander Duisburg-Essen, initial training courses TEXT: Heike Reinhold Farkas from the “Weiße Flotte”. A new for teaching staff have been held. Addi- that acts as a beacon for the entire re- location with high attractiveness also tional courses are scheduled for spring. he renaturalisation of the Ruhr area, 400 kilometres of new sew- appeal,” emphasises Head of the gion: while District Administration opened at Lake Baldeney in October In 2018, teachers will be able to borrow Emscher is transforming the ers have been laid underground, 45 Environmental and Building Depart- (Ruhr Peninsula) is thinking about a 2017, the ‘Seeblick’ (Lake View). trace element research boxes for their T former sewer in the north of kilometres of them within the Essen ment Simone Raskob. Moreover, nature bathing area at the Kampmannbrücke Bordered by 45 old chestnut trees, a lessons. Furthermore, starting on 10 the city into a natural river in the municipal area. By 2020, the streams lovers were delighted in 2017 to see bridge, the cities of Mülheim an der pleasant avenue has been created be- March 2018, simultaneously with the middle of a local recreation area. The above ground will be almost com- the return of the so called Emscher Ruhr and Bochum are planning their tween Seaside Beach and Schloss Essen “SauberZauber” clean-up cam- Emschergenossenschaft Water Manage- pletely free from wastewater, and will bullhead (Cottus gobio). In August, 150 own river bathing areas. Baldeney. The construction project paign, a two-week campaign to collect ment Association has been working have been restructured to be close to fi sh were released into Borbecker was subsidised with funds from the old medications will be conducted in on the conversion of the river system their natural condition. A number of Mühlenbach. This protected species is CLEAN SHIP PROPULSION state and the Green Capital. Starting in pharmacies. since 1992. Throughout the entire important milestones were reached rare and proof of the water quality of In August, the MS innogy became the in Essen in 2017. The upper reaches of this renaturalised stream, which used fi rst vessel powered by climate-friend- the Borbecker Mühlenbach have to be an open sewer lined with ly methanol to go into service on Lake “Even after the already received a near-natural make- concrete. Baldeney. Interest in the clean “green Green Capital over, as has the Kesselbach in fuel” ship is immense. Dockyard com- year is over, the the Nachtigallental valley. Further SWIMMING IN THE RUHR panies from the USA and India have Emschergenos- streams, including the Berne, will For many, the fun they had swimming contacted the company innogy SE senschaft plans follow over the coming years. The in Lake Baldeney was the highlight of with inquiries about the modern to free Essen’s expansion of the blue infrastructure the year. In the Seaside Beach swimm- drive technology. And the phone has Emscher wa- is improving the quality of life and ing spot, a total of 7,000 visitors en- been ringing off the hook at the Weiße terways from strengthing Essen’s ability to cope joyed the cool waters on 47 days in Flotte Baldeney GmbH, the local ferry wastewater and return the streams with change. “The Emscher con- 2017. The Ruhrverband, the second service, too: many citizens want to to nature. Essen’s river landscapes version is an important project for a Water management association and re- book the new tours of the Heisinger are growing greener!” resilient city. In the spirit of climate sponsible for Lake Baldeney, now Aue riparian zone. As a Natura 2000 DR ULI PAETZEL adaptation, it equips us for natural wants to optimise the early warning reserve, the Heisinger Ruhraue is the ANDREAS FRITSCHE, EMSCHERGENOSSENSCHAFT | JOCHEN TACK | RUHRVERBAND TACK | JOCHEN EMSCHERGENOSSENSCHAFT FRITSCHE, ANDREAS Chairman of the Management Board at events such as storms and heavy system, so that it can allow even more habitat of dragonfl ies, cormorants, GREEN FUEL. Running on climate-friendly methanol, the MS innogy cruises over Lake Baldeney and

Emschergenossenschaft rain. The project also has international swimming days in 2018. It is a project PHOTO frogs and grey herons. This nature into the Heisingen Ruhraue.

18 01.2018 01.2018 19 MY SHOPPING

Town” title since 2013. In the town hall, sustainability. “For a deposit of 1 euro, for example, only Fairtrade tea and you receive a colourful reusable cup ­coffee are served, and new Fairtrade made from recyclable plastic. When SUSTAINABLE products are continuously being add- the cup is empty, you simply turn it in ed. The European Green Capital also at a partner café of the CUPFORCUP Living in Essen showed us another thing: a sustainable deposit system,” explains Estelle Fritz, lifestyle does not stop at what you eat. Head of the reusable cup project. “The As part of a citizens’ project, for aim is to win over additional cafés and The Green Capital has raised awareness for the use of ecological, regional and ­example, Dominique Ellen van de Pol bakeries during the one-year test Fairtrade products, as well as the avoidance of waste. The task for the future is provided guided shopping tours in 2017 phase so that we can offer customers now to encourage even more people and companies to get involved. on the subject of ecologically fair these reusable cups throughout the ­fashion in Essen. city,” continues Fritz. At the same time, TEXT: Heike Reinhold the City of Essen, Essen’s marketing CLEANLINESS AND company and the retail association RECYCLING are planning to introduce an Essen In 2017, the city’s litter bins were “open Cup based on the reusable cup for all sorts of filth”. Together with the principle. Essen waste disposal company (EBE), the Green Capital City of Essen NEW CLIMATE CULTURE ­declared a public competition. The ob- The klima|werk|stadt|essen is the um- jective was to find the best humorous brella brand for integrated, sustainable slogans to ­advertise for a clean and and climate-friendly urban develop- tidy city. The response was amazing, ment in Essen, and during the Green RELAXING IN THE COMMUNITY GARDEN. and in the spring 3,000 waste baskets Capital year continued to organise For example in the Siepengarten. and 27 large trash cans in nine of ­numerous projects, including the ­Essen’s parks were decorated with EU-funded “Renaissance of Places with bonisation by 2050, this comm­itment to clever ­slogans in the local dialect. At Innovative Citizenship and Technolo- municipal climate protection needs to the same time, the community clean- gy” (REPLICATE) to develop a smart be maintained: “We are creating the up campaign “SauberZauber” achieved city strategy and “Climate Active structures now, so that the impetus a new record turnout in 2017 with Neighbourhoods” (CAN). The basic from the Green Capital will lead to 17,000 participants. Cleanliness is an idea behind CAN is to change the ­specific implementation projects.” issue everyone needs to get involved ­existing energy and consumption in. The EBE turned a slogan about structures through active participation NETWORK FOR ­coffee cups into a bright new idea, and on the part of the citizens in select SUSTAINABILITY joined the Rüttenscheid Interest Group ­socially disadvantaged districts. Virtu- The mobile application “greenApes” in sponsoring­ the reusable cup project ally all of Essen’s schools and child has brought the idea of sustainability THE GREEN of the University of Duisburg-Essen daycare facilities were actively in- to the everyday lives of over 1,500 resi- LOCALLY GROWN VEGETABLES. Pick-your-own fields at Oberschuirshof. (UDE) in order to avoid waste and volved, and since 2017 they have been dents of Essen. “From January to CAPITAL save resources. Since October, cafés supported in their climate protection ­December, the number of subscribers and bakeries from the south of Essen activities by two ­climate protection to our newsletter almost tripled, and a wide range of activities and ers cultivate a total of 3,000 hectares in Products in reusable TIP to the university cafeterias in the north managers. These and many other total of fifteen rewards partners got events over the past year identi- Essen. Many products can be bought containers are avail- have been using the CUPFORCUP ­activities related to all of the Green ­involved,” says community spokesper- A fied opportunities for sustain­ directly in the farm shops on-site. In able from the firstUnpackaged ­deposit system for reusable cups. Capital’s thematic clusters have given son Teresa Deckert, ­describing the able living and created awareness ­addition, with the Burchhardt organic Shop in Essen, in Rosastraße in A sticker on the entrance door shows climate protection new momentum­ in development of the ­social media plat- about the value of local products. The butcher, the eco-certified farmers at Rüttenscheid. which coffee merchants care about Essen, and have initiated partnership form, which was originally­ created in facebook.com/ project “12 months – 12 chefs” spot- Kloster­berghof and the eco-certified projects that are planned to be extend- Florence and came to Essen for the gluecklichunverpackt lights regional and seasonal foods. farmer Maas, the city has three certified­ ed, such as the Masterplan for Climate Green Capital year. The app is not just With the event series “sowing, harvest- organic businesses. Pick-your-­ own­ “What I liked best was the families Protection in Trades. Kai Lipsius, for digital ­communication, but also for ing, eating” and the “Day of Good fields, such as those at Oberschuirshof Transition Town ­Initiative and the shop- and upcycling festival “Paradises & ­Climate Protection Officer of the City, local meetings in person: participants Food”, the city has made its mark for or Mechtenberg, and the fruit-picking ping guide ­“Network – Good food in the Utopias” in the Stadtgarten Park, a draws a positive conclusion. “The can post their sustainable lifestyle more conscientious consumerism. garden in Weberplatz turned consum- Ruhr area” from Slow Food Essen real gift from the city to our families Green Capital has turned the topics of ­articles, thereby collecting “Banko- Three promotion days held in the ers into gardeners. ­Numerous activities ­provide information about ecological, – sustainable handicrafts, food for sustainability and climate protection Nuts” that they can then exchange for spring, summer and autumn, gave in 2017 also placed emphasis on the regional foods. The available range is thought, experiences and a sense into the talk of the town. And it has attractive rewards at participating ­allotments and community gardens, subject of “bees in the city”. Last but not expanded by Fairtrade products, of achievement for children and shown that climate ­respon­sibility is a ­rewards partner companies, such as ­agricultural businesses, farm shops least, the special edition­ “Green Capital which are now also stocked by numer- parents.” collective task which the entire urban vegan cafés, organic restaurants, FRANK VINKEN | JOCHEN TACK VINKEN | JOCHEN FRANK and local producers an opportunity to Honey” was well received. The “Good ous retailers and restaurateurs in FRANK MÜNTER community needs to tackle.” To ­natural cosmetics shops or sustainable

showcase themselves. Around 70 farm- food in Essen“ food guide from the ­Essen. Essen has held the “Fairtrade PHOTOS Essen community gardens achieve the ambitious goal of decar- concept stores.

20 01.2018 01.2018 21 THE GREEN MY FUTURE CAPITAL

Exciting excursions TIP PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF DUISBURG-ESSEN to the Ruhr Metropolis Essen shows its TRANSFORMATION SKILLS are available at umweltportal.metropoleruhr.de PRODUCTIVE EXCHANGE The successful transformation story of a coal and steel city into the greenest city in North Rhine-Westphalia serves as an example for many cities in Europe the support of the Brost Foundation, the The University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) offered a that are undergoing structural change. Essen is on its way to becoming an project is scheduled to continue in 2018 varied Green Capital programme for students and even more liveable city. and will be expanded to Essen’s prima- the wider public. The Rector, Professor Dr. Ulrich ry schools. Radtke, takes stock. TEXT: Heike Reinhold SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT European schools also demonstrated a How many projects did the UDE support tire region. This is why the UDE cooper- he Ruhr Metropolis is a labora- Many of these gatherings explored ur- “My personal high level of commitment. The Überruhr the Green Capital with? ates with the new Accelerator Start-Up tory for sustainability develop- ban strategies. Just under 200 climate highlight was Grammar School planted a European Just under 300 events were provided by Bootcamp Smart City and Living in Essen, T ment programmes. The Inter- experts from 22 countries convened the convoy of 17 garden, and Borbeck Girls’ Grammar the UDE as part of the European Green and the innovation hub E.ON:agile. With- national Building Exhibition Emscher at the TWINS Conference Ruhr in colourful envi- School and its French partner school Capital 2017 and the 2nd Essen in the university, we are pooling Park was followed in quick succession November at the Zollverein UNESCO ronmental ve- each planted a garden in the colours of Summer of Science for its our activities in the Compe- by the Emscher Conversion Master- World Heritage Site to exchange ideas hicles making their partner country. Georgschule students and employees, tence Centre for Innovation plan, the European Capital of Culture about municipal climate protection. its way through joined forces with the French kindergar- but also for a wider au- and Business Start-Ups RUHR.2010, the Innovation City pro- The results were then presented at the Essen as part of the conference of ten not only to maintain the fl ower beds, dience. A lot of things (IDE) and are currently cess and the European Green Capital World Climate Conference COP 23 in the Association of Mobile Environ- but also to provide bilingual labelling. went really well, par- also looking at “green” – Essen 2017. The future is green, too: Bonn. “From Grey to Green” outlined mental Education Projects (AGUM) The BildungsCent Association and ener- ticularly the Science ideas. One UDE start- acting as a think tank and showcase, the story of the city’s transformation with guests from around the world gy services provider Ista developed a Slam “Understand- up related to renew- KlimaExpo.NRW and klimametropole from a coal and steel town into Ger- at Zeche Carl cultural centre and Climate Box in a pilot project with ing Science” in the able energies is NEMOS RUHR will be focussing on the topics many’s third greenest city. Another working with explorers of all ages at schoolchildren from Essen. Measure- Stadtgarten Park, and GmbH, for example, of innovation, education and climate highlight of the World Climate Confer- Zollverein.” ment devices allowed them to identify our contributions on Ex- which is developing a new protection until 2022. In addition, ence was that the Urban Transition DIETMAR SCHRUCK energy weak spots in the school build- ercise Day under the motto system for generating elec- preparations have begun for the Inter- Alliance was jointly founded by Essen Essen’s environmental educator at the ing and develop climate protection con- “Hands-on Science”. tricity from coastal wave power. national Garden Exhibition (IGA) 2027 and metropolitan cities from other Nature and Environmental Protection cepts. In 2018, throughout Germany, 100 in the Ruhr Metropolis. Additionally, parts of the world. Essen is seeking to Academy NRW (NUA) schools will be equipped with corre- During projects such as “Zero Waste – a Will lectures and seminars on “green sub- the employment market is changing: exchange views and ideas with expert sponding teaching materials. “Nature waste-free City of Essen?”, students jects” be continued? so-called “green jobs” are steadily ris- colleagues from the USA, China and ENVIRONMENTAL School” also made a contribution to en- worked with citizens on concepts for Many topics of the European Green Capital ing, both in number and importance. Germany on the sustainable trans form- EDUCATION vironmental education. The Biological waste avoidance. A fruitful partnership? are closely tied to UDE’s research priorities By the year 2025, the number of green ation of cities with an industrial herit- Environmental education starts at a Education Centre made additional pro- This workshop shows how communicat- and will continue to be pursued intensive- jobs in Essen is expected grow from age, making the city a central research very young age: the commitment of jects available in 2017. Since July, “Nature ing with other social stakeholders can ly in the future, for example in the “Urban currently 13,000 to 20,000. location for adaptability. Additional in- kindergartens, child daycare facilities School” has been a regional centre in open up new perspectives for research Systems” research area, or in the compe- spiration came from the congress on and schools was immense in 2017. Chil- the state network “Education for sustain- and teaching. This benefi ts both the stu- tence fi eld of “Metropolitan Research”. We A total of 56 conferences and conven- “Sustainable architecture in the course dren created raised beds, planted able development in North Rhine-West- dents and the external partners. I am de- developed these together with our part- tions were held in Essen in 2017, some of (climate) change,” the Eurocities En- colourful gardens or learned about phalia”, and is funded by the state’s lighted that one of the projects from this ners from the Ruhr Universities Alliance, of them international events, which vironment Forum, the Environmental waste separation and avoidance. The Environmental Ministry. The pro- workshop, a city-wide reusable cup sys- the Ruhr University Bochum and the Tech- were able to deliver important inspira- Management Network Summit and the Kämpenstraße child daycare facility gramme will be continued in 2018. tem, was promptly implemented thanks nical University of Dortmund. It also ad- tion for the city’s green development. Congress on Future European Formats. showed exemplary commitment with its to the support of many partners, notably dresses environmental protection and project on “Climate Daycare – Creative in Essen. We want to continue and inten- quality of life in metropolitan cities. ways to handle the four realms of ener- “The Green sify this very productive exchange. Here gy: water, electricity, nature and health” Capital has act- we can make use of the experience of our What will the signifi cance of green topics which earned it the Essen Environ- ed as a ‘com- centre for social learning and responsibility be in the future? mental Prize 2017 from the city post booster’ (UNIAKTIV), which coordinates partner- The promotion of education for sustain- administration and the “Klima Kita” title for the spir- ship projects between the UDE and social able development (BNE) in teaching is an from the Energy Agency for North it of creativity, stakeholders. established, central task in UDE’s univer- Rhine-Westphalia. The fi gurehead for which progres- sity development plan. For example, stu- an age-appropriate environmental sively spread to What is the situation with “green jobs”? dents from all courses of study can obtain education approach was Anni the Ant, everything it came in contact with Does the UDE have any business the certifi cate in education for sustainable a.k.a. Veronika Maruhn. The concept and prompted many small gardens spin-offs? development. artist developed a participatory theatre and rare flowers to flourish.” Promoting the entrepreneurial spirit and production, which evolved into a big turning research innovations directly into The interview was conducted by Heike EXCURSION TO THE WORLD OF WATER. The environmental bus of the Nature Protection Academy (NUA) favourite with the children at all the VERONIKA MARUHN applications are important topics, not just Reinhold. UNIVERSITY OF DUISBURG-ESSEN DUISBURG-ESSEN OF UNIVERSITY PHOTO in Recklinghausen went on an expedition to the Kesselbach and Borbecker Mühlenbach streams. municipal child daycare facilities. With BORN VON | ULI WESOLOWSKI VINKEN | FRANK PHOTO Conceptual artist at our university, but throughout the en-

22 01.2018 01.2018 23 - ADVERTISEMENT -

BEHIND THE SCENES AGENDA BAHNEN NRW Thanks WIR MACHEN DAS to all the ZUKUNFT GEMEINSAM VOLUNTEERS! GESTALTEN Voluntary assistants significantly Gemeinsam geht es besser – das ist der Leitgedanke der helped make the European Green „Agenda Bahnen NRW“. Im Ok- Capital – Essen 2017 a success. COMMITMENT THAT IS OUT OF THE ORDINARY. THE GREEN tober 2017 schlossen sich sie- The volunteers worked tirelessly. CAPITAL ben Eisenbahnverkehrsunter- nehmen (EVU) aus NRW zu hey were always ready to listen to the questions einer bundesweit einmaligen The Volunteers film is now available TIP of ­visitors and provided vigorous support when it Brancheninitiative zusammen. on the YouTube channel Heimatgrün TV. T came to doing their bit for nature and environmen- Das Ziel: gemeinsam an der tal ­protection. “A total of 158 volunteers aged between 19 Weiterentwicklung des Nahver- and 80 volunteered for the Green Capital in 2017,” sums up a number of conferences and learned a lot of new things. kehrs und einer Stärkung des ­Martina David. During the European Capital of Culture year At the climate conference at the HDT, for example, an Ama- Die nordrhein-westfälischen Betreiber arbeiten gemeinsam daran, den Klimaschutz auf der Schiene voranzutreiben. Systems Schiene zu arbeiten. RUHR.2010, she herself had been one of the volunteers. In zonian Indian talked about his native country. That really 2017 she coordinated the volunteers, and in the process met made an impression on me,” explains the volunteer from Europaweite Ausschreibungen many great people and learned about new green subjects. Gevelsberg. BAHNFAHREN IST haben in den vergangenen Jah- ren eine hohe Betreibervielfalt LEARNED A LOT...... AND MET SOME GREAT PEOPLE GELEBTER KLIMASCHUTZ in den Schienenpersonennah- Birgit Göttig is one of the many volunteers. She comes from Virtually all the volunteers praise the friendly relationship verkehr in NRW gebracht. Dar- the city district Frohnhausen and can look back on more they shared. Many volunteers want to stay in touch after the Weniger Emissionen, weniger Treibsto verbrauch, weniger Lärm – in vielen aus ergeben sich Chancen, aber than 100 volunteering assignments: “I was often available to end of the Green Capital year. Zohreh Valizadeh was particu- auch Herausforderungen, answer questions as a contact person at the Open Space in larly impressed by the contact with different cultures. This Punkten zeigt sich, dass Bahnfahren der Umwelt zugute kommt. Diesen posi- denen sich die Bahnen künftig Weberplatz, the central point of contact for the Green Capital young environmental engineer comes from Iran and has tiven Aspekt wollen die Eisenbahnverkehrsunternehmen weiter ausbauen. gemeinsam stellen. Mit Unter- City of Essen. That was virtually my second home.” There been living in the Ruhr area for four years. She joined the vol- zeichnung der „Agenda Bah- she not only met interesting people, but also learned a lot unteers in August and quickly made friends. “I was able to ehr als 80 Prozent der Deutschen halten ein laut Studien von DB Regio NRW einen großen Ein- nen“ haben Abellio Rail NRW, about her city. In addition, she says the Green Capital year improve my language skills, make contacts, and to top it off Umdenken zugunsten des Klimaschutzes fl uss auf die Energieeffi zienz – die DB-Tochter schult DB Regio NRW, eurobahn, motivated her to take up gardening. “In 2018 I’m going to join I learned something about good food.” The communication Mfür notwendig, etwa durch Verzicht auf das deshalb ihre Mitarbeiter darin, bestimmte Fahr- Natio nal Express, NordWest- a community garden and grow my own vegetables.” Elmar with citizens was often very warm. Elmar Brückner, who Auto und die Verbesserung des öffentlichen Ver- empfehlungen einzuhalten. Das Konzept geht auf: Bahn, Regiobahn und die Brückner from the city of Hamm also learned a lot in 2017. took over the service at the Emscher art bridge sculpture kehrs, so eine jüngste Studie der KfW-Bank. Jeder Bereits nach sechs Monaten konnte DB Regio NRW WestfalenBahn eine engere “I came away with great ideas on how to design my home “Waiting for the river” in the Emscher Valley in the summer Dritte hat bereits sein Mobilitätsverhalten ange- den Stromverbrauch um rund zehn Millionen Kilo- Zusammenarbeit vereinbart. passt und fährt den eigenen PKW seltener oder nutzt wattstunden senken. Andere Verkehrsunternehmen Die freiwillige Selbstverpfl ich- garden. In the spring I will create some raised beds at home. of 2017, reports on chatting with the local residents over häufi ger Bus und Bahn. Denn: Im Vergleich zu ande- setzen etwa auf Energiemanagementsysteme, um die tung hält dabei in acht Leitlinien Then I won’t have to bend down as much any more.” Monika ­coffee: “The neighbours came by with cak e. Then I made ren Verkehrsträgern ist der CO -Ausstoß im Schienen- Energienutzung des Unternehmens zu erkennen und fest, wie sich die Betreiber nun Ballasus-Chaudoire is also enthusiastic, saying, “I worked at coffee and we sat together and talked.” Andreas Mock also 2 personennahverkehr (SPNV) wesentlich geringer. Optimierungsmaßnahmen einzuleiten. im Wettbewerb verhalten wol- reports on pleasant encounters with citizens. He is from Die gestiegene Nachfrage nach einer nachhaltigen len – stets mit Blick auf Verbes- ­Essen and distributed thank-you gifts to cyclists at busy hub Mobilität zeigt sich auch im NRW-Nahverkehr. Rund Darüber hinaus hat die Deutsche Bahn AG ein Kon- serungen, besonders im Sinne locations. “I was surprised about how many people were out 2,4 Millionen Menschen werden hier täglich bewegt. zept für den Bau klimaneutraler Bahnhofsgebäude des Fahrgasts. and about on their bicycles, and how delighted they were Die Bahnen in NRW tun eine Menge dafür, dass dies entworfen, das sie erstmals im nordrhein-westfäli- with our small presents in the form of puncture repair kits, möglichst klimafreundlich geschieht. schen Horrem umgesetzt hat. Maßnahmen wie In diesem Jahr wird der Fokus drinking bottles or bicycle bells. A few young people imme- eine Photovoltaik- und eine Geothermie-Anlage, auf die Bahnen als attraktive diately posted likes on Facebook.” Neben innovativen Antriebsmöglichkeiten wie Was- Videoinformationen zu Reiseverbindungen sowie und sichere Arbeitgeber gelegt serstoff-Brennstoffzellen entwickeln die Betreiber komplette Barrierefreiheit sorgen im „Grünen – über 500 verschiedene Be- Incidentally, the dedication of the volunteers did not end Möglichkeiten, um den Energieverbrauch im SPNV Bahnhof“ für moderne ökologische Standards und rufsbilder beweisen die Vielfäl- with the Green Capital year. The network of volunteers will zu senken. Vor allem vorausschauendes Fahren hat hohen Kundenkomfort. tigkeit der Branche für Arbeits- continue to be available to all of Essen’s residents in the suchende und Auszubildende. ­future. “We are working together with the volunteer agency 211 g Und der Bedarf an Fachkräften to develop a concept so that this can continue. In the future, ist hoch. Der Blick in die Zukunft 67 g the institutions and associations will then be able to make SAUBER! zeigt also, dass noch zahlreiche Je gefahrenen Personenkilometer (Pkm) werden im DEDICATED VOLUNTEERING. Some of the total of 158 volunteers at the use of the volunteers,” promises Ralph Kindel, Head of the Schienenpersonennahverkehr (SPNV) durchschnittlich Möglichkeiten oŸ enstehen. nur 67g Treibhausgase ausgestoßen. Autos stoßen dagegen closing event in mid-December at Messe Essen. Project Office for the European Green Capital – Essen 2017. | VINKEN FRANK SJOCHEN TACK PHOTO 142 g 142g Emissionen aus, Flugzeuge mit 211g sogar mehr als das Dreifache im Vergleich zum SPNV. Nähere Informationen unter

24 01.2018 SCI Report Quelle: www.wir-machen-das.nrw

130_862_Image2017_heimatgruen_magazin_190x264_V02.indd 1 10.01.18 12:18 EUROPEAN GREEN CAPITALS “For me, the “Energy “As a sponsor, we launching of our efficiency should wanted to spread innovative and be an integral the excitement climate-friendly component about electric mo- Essen will be followed by MS innogy was of the school bility in the Europe- NIJMEGEN the highlight of curriculum. We an Green Capital – the Green Capital will continue Essen 2017. The city Nijmegen in the Netherlands will bear the title in 2018. This cycling city has year. We are to pursue this acted on many of exciting and innovative local transportation concepts and a new city island demonstrating that ‘green fuels’ are objective with our schools project – our ideas. Essen is well on its way to be- also suitable for marine engines.” here in Essen, but also throughout coming electrically mobile, and we are with extensive recreational areas. RAINER HEGMANN Germany.” delighted.” Head of the Rhine-Ruhr Region, Municipal TEXT: Heike Reinhold THOMAS ZINNÖCKER OLIVER FRANZ Partner Management, innogy SE CEO of ista International GmbH Director of Communication, Nissan Center Europe

he EU Commission has been awarding the title of “European Green Capital” since 2010. The award is T given to cities with populations of over 100,000 that THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS consistently demonstrate high environmental standards and continuously set ambitious targets for themselves for A total of around 30 sponsors in the main sponsors, premium sponsors, further improvements in environmental conditions and co-sponsors, patrons and projekt sponsors categories supported the sustainable development. After Stockholm, Hamburg, Vitoria- Gasteiz, Nantes, Copenhagen, Bristol and Ljubljana, Essen European Green Capital – Essen 2017 with funding and benefits in-kind. received the title of “European Green Capital” in 2017. ome of the sponsors also played an active role as part- MS innogy commenced operation with its environmentally PRAISE FOR ESSEN FROM BRUSSELS ners by helping to provide the content for the success- friendly marine engine, while Nissan supplied the City of Essen “Essen is a prime example of how the shift to go green can Sful congress on “Sustainable architecture in the course with its “12-point plan” on the subject of electromobility, and improve the quality of life in the form of better water quality, of climate change”. Over and above their sponsorship, other Epson provided environmentally friendly printers. As part of expansive green areas and a more effi cient infrastructure sponsors were actively involved in Green Capital projects the “ista does school” project, schoolchildren from the Über- for transportation and waste management,” the EU Commis- with their own contributions and ideas. The companies dm, ruhr grammar school are now able to take a course in “Energy sion commended the city at the end of the year. When se- DB Schenker, innogy SE, Schloss Quelle, Contilia and Nissan, effi ciency” as part of their Abitur curriculum. The German rail lecting the topics, Essen used the Commission’s priorities of for example, provided valuable and interesting contribu- operator Deutsche Bahn and its subsidiary Schenker AG pro- promoting sustainability in cities as a reference. Sustain- tions to the projects “Day in Motion”, “Grün auf! Altendorf” vided enlightening project contributions in the fi eld of mobil- ability can only be advanced if residents get involved, too. and “European Mobility Week”. In the city centre, the “Green ity, Sparkasse Essen bank published a hidden object book “Essen achieved this in an exemplary manner. The resi- Islands” maintained by Knappmann company are very pop- about the Green Capital and donated a crowdfunding plat- dents of Essen fully supported their city’s application for the ular with visitors. There were other sponsors who funded form for social and cultural projects, while Messe Essen sup- title,” said Brussels. Moreover, the city did an excellent job select individual projects. Particularly noteworthy here is the ported the Green Capital City of Essen by making premises in its role as ambassador, from the stunning opening cere- equipment provided to the volunteers by GENO BANK and and beer tent furniture available for events. Thanks to gener- mony in January and organising a series of international to the “Cycling without Age Limits” project, which thanks to al and project-specifi c sponsoring and benefi ts in-kind, many conferences on environmental topics, to the closing cere- Deichmann company was expanded by three additional elec- projects were fi nanced by businesses and foundations, with a mony in December. After the end of the Green Year, Essen tric rickshaws. At the end of August 2017, the White Fleet’s total amount of more than 2.8 million euros. will remain involved in the European Green Capital Network – the network of all award winners and fi nalists. “Greater quality of life, from the “Essen being named as European “As a mineral spring, we feel that we south to the north. A green connection Green Capital is symbolic of the have a special obligation to the people has grown in Essen, from the NIJMEGEN TAKES OVER BATON THE BEST CYCLING CITY IN THE NETHERLANDS: Nijmegen will bear the impressive environmental trans- and the region when it comes to sus- Baldeneysteig and the Krupp Park In 2018, Nijmegen will now bear the title of European Green title of “European Green Capital” in 2018. Harriët Tiemens explains why. formation in the Ruhr Region. This was tainability and the environment. For “ to Zollverein Colliery, and it will Capital”. Nijmegen was voted the best cycling city in the permanently change how we the motivation for us, Deutsche Bahn, us, supporting the Green Capital was Netherlands in 2016 and 2017, and convinced the judges in research institutions, as well as companies. Highlights in live together.” as a green company, to enter into a a matter of living up to our company the application process with its innovative waste manage- 2018 will include outstanding meetings of experts such as the partnership for more environmental philosophy.” HEINZ-GEORG ANSCHOTT ment concepts and its clean local public transport system. CleanMed conference or the Eco Procura, which aim to Chairman of the Board at GENO BANK protection in Essen.” JÖRG MELLIS “The Waal runs right through our city and is one of the busi- reach tangible international agreements for a sustainable ANDREAS GEHLHAAR Owner of Schloss-Quelle GmbH est waterways in Europe. To reduce the danger of fl ooding Europe. Traditional events in the city are increasingly being “Our highlight was the Environmental Director at DB and create more space for water and nature, a new tributary organised with the environment in mind, and large-scale KNAPPMANN lecture series on the “It was an impressive project. As a has been built, creating a large city island with new nature planting projects are being planned with the participation subject of the ‘Green City’ at “For Messe Essen, the highlights of healthcare partner of the City of Essen, and recreation areas,” reports Harriët Tiemens, responsible from scores of citizens. Visitors should also plan an excur- Zollverein Colliery, where we had the Green Capital were the opening we were offering a great many oppor- the opportunity to share green for Finances, Sustainability, Green Spaces, Water and Mobili- sion to the new city island. Harriët Tiemens emphasises that event in the Grugapark and the closing tunities. We enjoyed bringing people topics with 200 guests from ty in the City of Nijmegen. The ambitious project is attracting “I’m certain that Essen and Nijmegen will inspire and moti- businesses and politics.” event, which we had the privilege of together and getting them moving.” experts from around the world to Nijmegen. Tiemens is also vate one another. As a border city, we are always happy to PETER KNAPPMANN hosting with our new foyer.” DR DIRK ALBRECHT proud of the “green DNA” of the city, which manifests itself in work with our German neighbours, because we have many entrepreneur OLIVER P. KUHRT, CEO of Messe Essen Director of Contilia GmbH (spokesman)

the form of the joint commitment of citizens, educational and shared interests and can learn a lot from one another.” NIJMEGEN GREEN CAPITAL PHOTO

26 01.2018 01.2018 27 BEHIND THE SCENES BEHIND THE SCENES

With technical knowledge and passion, Alice Pawlikowski Paulina Betthaus the total of 45 women and men, includ- TOGETHER FOR ESSEN ing municipal employees and freelanc- ers, made the green topics of the city After winning the title in June 2015, a growing team spent many months behind ­accessible to the general public. On be- the scenes of the Green Capital, planning, organising, preparing, assisting, half of all the members of their teams, communicating, monitoring, managing and rolling up their sleeves. Alice Pawlikowski (Marketing/Com- munication), Sven Haimhof (Event and Project Management), Paulina INTERVIEW: Heike Reinhold Betthaus (Project Management) and Sven Haimhof Markus Pließnig Markus Pließnig (Spokesperson) look back on a year full of highlights. Paulina Betthaus: I loved the many Markus Pließnig: The Green Capital What inspired your enthusiasm for a citizens’ projects. The enthusiasm with marked the kick-off for a Green Decade. green Essen and green issues? Why which Essen’s residents ­became in- And we managed it well. Essen is now were you intent on being on the project volved in green issues was really mov- able to appear on the international team? ing. Additionally, the BaldeneySteig stage with new-found confidence. This Paulina Betthaus: I am a nature lover, was a project that I personally found year we spoke to many journalists from and environmental and climate protec- very demanding, but which also made all over Europe. The British daily news- tion is the top story of this century. The me very happy in the end. The work paper ‘The Guardian’ reported on us, task appealed to me. Now that the year was simply a lot of fun, and real friend- as did Paris’ largest boulevard paper is over, I can say for sure, it was amaz- ships grew out of it. All in all, it was love- ‘Le Parisien’. This has also changed the ing to become involved in all the green ly to be part of this Green Capital. perception of the city internationally. issues. I hope I can continue to work in Markus Pließnig: Looking back, what this field in the future. made the biggest difference for me was Has the Green Capital changed any- Sven Haimhof: I wanted to make a dif- meeting all these people from various thing about your own conduct? ference in this city that is my new backgrounds. And then of course there Alice Pawlikowski: I have always home. Looking back, I’m happy to say I was the ‘Swimming in the Ruhr’ pro- done my best to live as sustainably as think we succeeded. ject. Like I said, I grew up here, with a possible, and I cycle a lot, including Markus Pließnig: Essen is my home river you weren’t allowed to swim in. So when I go to work. The Green Capital town. I have seen for myself the chang- it was even greater now for me to take has now reinforced my belief in my es that have taken place here since the my kids and jump into the lake. lifestyle. 1980s. I wanted to be actively involved Sven Haimhof: Thanks to the Green in the further development of the city, What do you rate the significance of Capital, I walk through the streets with and to communicate the process. Essen the Green Capital for Essen and the re- my eyes wide open. I am now truly used to have the image of being a coal­ gion? Where does green development aware of how much greenery we have dusty grey place. I think we managed to go from here? here. And of course I have also increas- change this image over the last year. Alice Pawlikowski: The Green Capital ingly taken the green issues of the year gave me and many others important to heart. I walk more often, leave the What was your personal highlight in food for thought. As someone who car at home, and am increasingly en- the Green Capital year? moved here, this was the first time I thusiastic about buying regional and Sven Haimhof: I was centrally in- ­really got to know the city and all its seasonal products at the market. The volved in the opening event, and it was green places. I wasn’t previously aware Green Capital got the ball rolling in an incredible kick-off. Everything was of just how much greenery Essen and many respects – now green thinking just perfect: the Grugapark, the lighting, the Ruhr Metropolis have to offer. needs to be applied. all the people and the emotions. That Paulina Betthaus: Essen is a trailblaz- made me proud. er for the region. The title of “European You can find additional staff impres- Alice Pawlikowski: I particularly en- Green Capital” was the city’s reward for sions and statements at joyed the relaxed atmosphere at its many years of hard work. Now the www.facebook.com/ the families and upcycling festival challenge for the future is to carry on gruene.hauptstadt.essen ­“Paradises & Utopias” in Essen’s Stadt- this work, and make sure that Essen garten Park. Another highlight for me continues in this development. Fol- was also the great collaboration on the low-up projects, such as the completion Green Capital team. We had a lot of fun of the Emscher conversion by 2022, the FRANK VINKEN FRANK together and always supported each KlimaExpo and IGA 2027, are already

PHOTOS other, even in stressful times. within the foreseeable future.

28 01.2018 01.2018 29 ESSAY

In Essen, NETWORKING IS A PRIORITY

he year 2017 in Essen was all about the protection and adaptation, to noise control and European Green Capital – Essen 2017. As prevention of waterway pollution, and even T the baton is passed to the Green Capital “green” innovations. The key here is not to have 2018, the Dutch city of Nijmegen, it is time to already achieved perfection in all twelve areas; take stock. In 2017, Essen was the focus of a on the contrary, it is also respected if you own wide range of activities, and with its variety up to your defi ciencies, while making clear how of formats and initiatives, it drew a great deal you intend to work on them. This basic attitude of interest not only at the city itself, but at the was part of the Green Capital year 2017, and was entire Ruhr area. omnipresent in Essen. More than any of its pre- decessors, the city additionally pursued the Essen’s positioning during the Green Capital networking idea of the European Union, which year has fulfi lled the criteria of the selection the EU associated with the competition, and commission. Many at the European level asked was very active in seeking communication with why it was Essen that won. European Capital of other European cities. Culture, OK, but European Green Capital? Particularly for a city in the heart of the Ruhr A year 2017 full of activities and initiatives: what area? At the time, the judging panel explained remains, and what is still to come? One of the its decision, amongst other things, by stating central challenges now will be to maintain the that Essen was being recognised as an example dynamism and awareness of environmental ac- of the transformative power and will of a region tivities that were created on various levels as a in a state of continuous change. The region has result of the Green Capital year, and to maintain experience in the planning and implementation the city’s own enthusiasm. The foundation was of transformation processes, driven in no small laid in 2017. part by great visions such as the “blue sky over the Ruhr” of former Chancellor Willy Brandt in RUHR.TOPCARD: the early 1960s, or the renaturalisation of the Emscher as part of the IBA. MANFRED FISCHEDICK RUPERT OBERHÄUSER RUPERT BACKGROUND PHOTO FOR PUSSYCATS These transformative forces could be felt Vice President of the Wuppertal Institute for throughout the city in 2017. The idea behind the Climate, Environment, Energy; European Green Capital is based on an integrat- Professor at the Faculty of Economic Sciences ed approach. The concept provides for a multi- at the University of Wuppertal; dimensional target corridor along no fewer Chairman of the Scientifi c Advisory Committee of than twelve indicators, ranging from climate the European Green Capital – Essen 2017

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